Author: jhickey1
Meal Analysis Essay Draft 1
Journal 11: “The Art of Summarizing” Response
Jacob Hickey
English 110-H4
Professor Miller
“The Art of Summarizing” Response
In this chapter of “They Say/I Say”, the authors highlight summarizing in writing using clear examples and sentences to provide the reader with the materials needed to understand how summarizing works. At the beginning of the chapter the authors highlight relatable material on why many students fail to summarize properly explaining, “perhaps because they don’t want to take the trouble to go back to the text in question” or “because they fear that devoting too much time to other people’s ideas will take away from their own”. These statements are relatable for many people, including me as I have certainly had these fears before, nervous that I will adequately use the text correctly while not completely straying from my own ideas. The authors do admit this can be a fine line to walk because, as they add, “it means facing two ways at once”. You, as the writer must carefully craft a piece that does not stray completely away from your thoughts and arguments, but just enough so you are able to give the author’s points.
I found other points made to be extremely helpful as they write, “to write a really good summary, you must be able to suspend your own beliefs for a time and put yourself in the shoes of someone else.” I love how they word this because it is relatable to students at or around our age as they tell us, the students, that we need to think about what “they say”, which will truly provide the opposing view to make your essay well rounded. However, the authors advise the writer that although explaining what another says is important, it is critical to not stray completely from your own argument and thoughts. They provide insight into this complexing writing stating, “it also requires that your own response exert a quiet influence.”
Lastly, the authors describe how to summarize satirically to which they illustrate this as, “a writer deliberately gives his or her own spin to someone else’s argument in order to reveal a glaring shortcoming in it.” This way of summarizing is amusing, entertaining, and relevant in today’s culture with all of the various political and social differences facing the country. In using this form or any model of summarizing, the authors suggest using colorful verbs, instead of old and commonly used verbs, that will make your writing stand out. In summary, I found this chapter to be very helpful, and will use it in my writing, in any way I can in the future.
Journal 7: Favorite Meal Essay Reflecting Peer Review with Podcast
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_bnLVJSXikPTWl0RjJxTW01eU0
Jacob Hickey
English 110-H4
Professor Miller
Peer Review Questions
I learned from both of my peer reviewers that my overall essay was very descriptive and interesting. They shared with me that my essay was knowledgeable and informative about what and why my favorite food is turkey soup. I found it helpful when we shared where I possibly needed more imagery or description and how to make my thesis statement stronger in order for my essay to be more clear and concise.
In my opinion, I felt I adequately shared and pointed out to each of my peers where they had strong points and areas where they could improve their essays. I told each of them specific points where they could use more descriptive language in certain areas to spice up their essays. I learned in my high school years that adding imagery and description is very important in allowing the reader to join you in the writing experience you are describing.
One thing that was not mentioned very much in the actual feedback was on the topic of MLA format. I think this topic is unclear to some. I ended up using the guides Professor Miller gave us on our handouts and was able to see if I correctly organized my MLA format with headers with our last name and page number in the upper right-hand corner.
One topic I do wish that we talked more about is the thesis statements of each other’s essays. In my opinion, it would have been beneficial to state how clear and concise each other’s was. In some ways, I think there are still some people who are confused about this statement and avoid talking about it in order to not feel embarrassed or seem confused around their classmates. Overall, I loved this project and felt the topic was fun and interesting!
Journal 10: Raymond Carver’s “A Small Good Thing” Response
Jacob Hickey
English 110-H4
Professor Miller
Raymond Carver’s “A Small, Good Thing” Response
In Raymond Carver’s tragic short story, “A Small, Good Thing”, he teaches the reader that food is a tremendous connector for people, as well as comfort in times of need because of the warmth and satisfaction it provides for the human body and soul. By using words such as “warm” and “sweet”, he is able to impart imagery, detail, and color in the minds of the reader to show them how food can make people feel in painfully unimaginable circumstances.
The baker and two parents have a certain feeling of hopelessness and lack of control. The parents, Ann and Howard, do not understand how to cope with this sudden death as shown when Howard drives home from the hospital and thinks about the “forces he knew existed and that could cripple or bring down a man if the luck went bad” (Carver). The baker responds to the parents after learning of their child’s death, “‘You got to understand what it comes down to is I don’t know how to act anymore, it would seem’” and “sense of doubt” that had overcome him in recent years (Carver). The food the baker produces for the two parents at the end of the short story brings a certain amount of control to their lives again. They are able to control the amount of food they eat and what types of rolls they consume. The food made all three of the people connect and listen as the writer describes, “Then he began to talk. They listened carefully. Although they were tired and in anguish, they listened to what the baker had to say” (Carver). Carver teaches the reader that in times of hardship, having companionship and friendship from others is vital in overcoming tragedy.
Another point made by Carver is that everyone should think before they act because you never know what others are going through. During the child’s hospitalization, the baker continually called the hurting parents, even at midnight, and made Anne, the mother, incredibly angry saying, “‘I wanted you dead’” (Carver). Carver teaches a terrific lesson all people should live by, inferring through the characters that everyone should think of the other side, what are “they” going through.
Food provides a connection for everyone in different circumstances. It provides warmth, comfort, and friendship. It is an opportunity to show others you care. It offers relief in times of great tragedy as shown in this short story. Because it’s something everyone does, we all have stories that involve eating or sharing food.
Journal 5: Favorite Meal Essay My Peer Reviews
Link to Recipe
https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/turkey-chowder-with-wild-rice-crimini-and-pancetta-240373
“Soup is a lot like a family. Each ingredient enhances the others; each batch has its own characteristics; and it needs time to simmer to reach full flavor.”
– Marge Kennedy
Favorite Meal Essay Final Draft
Jacob Hickey
Professor Jesse Miller
English 110-H4
4 October 2017
Love is Simply Turkey Soup
Love. It is a word people use to describe a vast number of things: family, activities, and food, to name a few. Moreover, this word describes how I feel about my own family, mainly my mom and dad. Leaving them and abandoning everything I knew for college was one of the most challenging days of my life. All that lay before me that day was an unfamiliar path, stretching out ahead, waiting for me to stumble toward. My teachers, peers, and surroundings were all going to be new. I felt hopeless, afraid, and panicked.
While it may seem strange, these very feelings actually led to the discovery of my new favorite meal: turkey soup, because it represents not only a creamy and chunky flavorful dish, but the love my parents and I have toward each other. It is neither a complex dish, a long-standing family tradition, nor a delicious memory from a favorite restaurant. It is in fact, a recipe found quite recently on the internet. To many’s eye, it might seem as though a dish such as this could not possibly qualify as my favorite meal. However, because it is one that I was able to savor with my parents after a long, taxing first week of college, it has become so much more than simply soup. This creamy, chunky culinary mélange represents not only an amazing dish, but the love I feel for my family. An easy-to-make, warm and savory concoction; it was a small bit of comfort in a whirlwind of unfamiliarity.
My mom and I were contemplating what to have for dinner on a Saturday night a few weeks ago. The week before, as a new college student at the University of New England, I had enjoyed an aromatic turkey soup at the campus dining hall. As I put the first spoonful in my mouth, I tasted the simmered flavors of rice, turkey and broth that delightfully lingered on my taste buds. The warm and cozy feeling I received immediately reminded me of home, so when I returned to my familiar kitchen for the weekend, I wanted to replicate it. Since I had never made soup before, I searched for recipes on the internet, and found what appeared to be a close match. My mom and I decided to give it a try, and began with a visit to the local Hannaford to pick up the necessary ingredients. We did our shopping getting the necessary supplies such as, turkey meat, carrots, celery, onions, and many other vegetables to create that unbelievably luscious and rich flavor.
I decided that in addition to comfort from the food we were about to prepare, I wanted to surround myself with happy feelings. So, after we returned home, I pulled up the Frank Sinatra radio station on Pandora to instantly bring images of my grandfather to mind. Much like the final scene of It’s a Wonderful Life, I could picture him playing the piano in his living room, singing various old jazz tunes at the top of his lungs, while our whole family gathered around the upright. You see, my grey-haired, bespectacled, and outgoing grandfather or “Opa” as he was known, always loved jazz and his memory is one I cherish to this day. He was a loving man who always made me feel as if I had a friend to talk to or play the piano with. He also happened to love turkey soup.
With the steady beat of Frank Sinatra’s, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” playing in the background, we put the turkey in the oven to roast and began to dice, peel and shred various forms of vegetables: potatoes, carrots, celery, and mushrooms. It was fun; it was normal; it was love. Forgetting all about my recent college experiences, I never wanted my time together with my parents to end. I was having fun, forgetting about all of the changes that had occurred and will occur in the coming months. I was finally in a place that I knew. After the crazy, chaotic week I had endured, where it felt as if my head were in a constant, never-ending spin, I was relaxed and at ease.
Sizzle, crackle! The sound of the pancetta as it danced in the hot olive oil kept you on your toes. Then came the aroma of diced carrots and the shallots as they were added next to the kettle. The cooking vapors filled the room with love. Following the recipe, I began to pick the soft turkey meat off of the bone. My mom continued to chop and dice. As I closed my eyes, I breathed slowly; deep breaths in and out. I was in my place of serenity; I was home. I asked my mom why she thought I liked this dish and she made a great point replying, “I think it is your favorite dish right now because it is a comfort food that reminds you of pleasurable things: family, holidays. It has ingredients that are foods that you normally like such as turkey and vegetables.” She was correct in her assessment, as I like to pride myself being a fairly health-conscious person, always eating fresh and quality foods that will enable my body to maximize its performance on the court, the classroom, and in daily activities. I also love to celebrate holidays because they are times when I can be around people I love and who love me in return. I continued to stir the kettle of soup with my wooden spoon. I felt the steam and the heat of the soup surround my hand as I continued the clockwise stirring motion. The timer on the kitchen oven was almost at zero which meant the soup would be ready to eat. As I looked into the kettle, the multitude of colors from the vegetables reminded me of my college days to date: dozens of vivid pieces swirling in as many different directions without any pattern or order. As I continued to stir, I thought about all of the different things that had happened in my life recently. I tried to think positively and as the spoon worked its magic, all of the vegetables, which resembled my troubles, vanished as the arrangement of carrots, potatoes, and celery formed one smooth mass.
My mom, dad and I sat in our Cherrywood kitchen chairs around six o’clock that night. The pumpkin spice scented candle in the center of our circular mahogany kitchen table was just barely flickering over the glass edge as we all lifted our stainless, curved spoons. I took my first taste. The warm, creamy, yet chunky soup filled my taste buds with a wonderful array of flavors. My face lit up as if I were on a Campbell’s Soup commercial on a cold snowy night. I could feel the warmth of the soup travel to different parts of my body. The sourdough bread accompanying the soup perfectly combined to form one of the most marvelous palate-pleasing sensations ever produced! I looked around after taking a couple of spoonfuls. I was in love with my surroundings. Asking my mom later about why she thought I loved making this dish so much, she acknowledged, “Making it from scratch was a chance to spend special time together in the kitchen doing something together that we both really enjoy. Food is an emotional connection for people.” I would agree because I was surrounded by my support system and was oblivious to the fact that in less than 24 hours, I would have to return to college. I finally had forgotten about all my worries for the moment. As I continued to consume spoonful after spoonful of heavenly soup, I turned to my left to watch our television: Bill Green’s Maine, a local program that my family has watched for years, was on as it is every Saturday night at 7:00 pm. I listened closely as Bill Green, a white-haired, mustached man, talked to viewers at home about various Maine activities such as, sailing along the Penobscot River and hiking Tumbledown Mountain. There was comfort in all this familiarity. I was happy. As I finished up my last few sips of soup, I talked to my parents about their experiences in college and how they dealt with different issues they came across. I received many wise answers that I have used every day since. They told me that everything was going to be ok, as it often takes a while to get acclimated to a completely new place. This is comforting to know since it feels as if I am in a hopeless situation with no one to talk to. Believing in my parents’ wisdom, I know I will be comfortable with time.
It is truly remarkable how something so simple can evoke such emotion. In the wake of many different melancholy and somber feelings taking flight within me, it was very refreshing to be overcome with a feeling of such happiness. While I do love many other dishes, this turkey soup is not only about taste, it is about love and spending time with those who care for me and want to see me succeed. I am so thankful to have my parents in my life because of the support they constantly show me. I love being at home where I am comfortable, and I can only hope that the University of New England will one day feel like this as well! I am very lucky to know I have a happy place to go when I need comfort, help, or just someone to talk to, and my happy place is sitting and eating simply… turkey soup with my family.
Journal 9: Reviewing Favorite Meal Essay Process
Jacob Hickey
English 110-H4
Professor Miller
Reviewing Favorite Meal Essay Process
The area I spent the most amount of time revising in this writing process was the thesis statement. I wanted to make sure that it was clear and concise in order for the reader to be pointed in the right direction of where I wanted the essay to go. My goal for this thesis statement was to indicate what my favorite meal is and why it is my favorite. One thing I would have changed was doing more of the peer review process. I feel as if for me it is beneficial to have others read your work. Another day in class would have been great after the additional peer review day, to see where everyone in our group stood with their paper. I feel as if the drafting/revising process was mostly the same as it was for me in high school. It took about a week to two weeks to complete the whole process and we also had a day where peer review occurred. I love going over other people’s papers as it gives me ideas for further endeavors. It gives me a sense as to where I stand in my writing. It highlights points I feel I can work on to make my writing even better. I worked very hard to make this essay the best it possibly could. I begin the day it was assigned and took my time in gathering ideas that could make my writing pop and stand out. Every single day an idea would come to me as to different descriptions I could give in my paper to make the reader fascinated when reading it. In my opinion, I met the expectations that Professor Miller gave us when he assigned us this project.
